A War Worth Fighting Part 33
Karl Donitz, the replacement leader of Germany, signed the Act of Military Surrender on May 8, 1945 in a battle-worn Berlin, Germany. And so the world was soon advised of the official end to the World War in Europe when the Allies officially accepted the unconditional surrender.
All of those nations that served as, and stood behind, the Allies celebrated around the globe. Those soldiers stationed in Europe partook in their own jubilations as they knew, at last, they would soon be reunited with their families.
Trowa and his comrades were cheering, laughing and drinking along with those fellow troops stationed in Manheim with them. For the Puerto Rican 65th, their troop of over fifty thousand had survived the war with a total loss of twenty-three killed in action with Juan as the last life taken. [1]
While every life was valued, it was quite the accomplishment for such a small force to come out with so many of their men.
In Greece, Quatre laughed and embraced Isis tightly as the Indian soldiers and Greek citizens alike cheered and came together in their celebration. All around, their voices rose up in their joy and excitement at finally having a clear end to their end of the war. Finally, all focus could fall on the country's rebuilding efforts.
Suddenly, all eyes fell on Japan. Those soldiers stationed there had little time to really have their own moment to take in the victory. Despite the news of Germany's fall, the last remaining Axis power showed no sign of surrendering.
The battle at Okinawa had not slowed one bit. Wufei was in the air when the word of Germany's fall reached the Enterprise. When he jumped from his cockpit after a long shift to find a widely grinning crew, he asked what everyone seemed so happy about. Leaning of the end of the war in Europe, he could not stop smiling himself for the rest of the day.
On the island of Hokkaido, many miles north of the city of Hakodate, a heavy and steady rain fell continuously. Every now and then, a flash of lightning followed by a rumble of thunder filled the air.
Snug and warm in the shed that they had slept in, Heero and Duo lay in the afterglow of their morning lovemaking high up in their loft. With a deep sigh, the private brushed back his loose hair to nestle closer to his partner. Over the sound of rain and another roll of thunder, he commented quietly, "Looks like we'll be grounded for another day."
That was both a good and bad thing at the same time. While neither soldier was unhappy about their being able to spend more time together, there was also the trepidation over their still being in Japan.
Lightly kissing his lover's head, the sergeant muttered, "We'll have a long enough break in the weather soon. Better to be too cautious than endanger ourselves." Smirking, he reminded, "You saw the Blue Gale. Would you really feel comfortable taking off in anything but a clear sky?"
A shudder ran through Duo at that thought. Howard had introduced the pair to his plane the day following their arrival at the Sweepers' cluster. The plane certainly was blue, a faded shade with the paint chipping away in its old age. Little more than a craft that could be used to dust crops, it did not seem to be anything that could safely cross the ocean to Hawaii.
Still, like so many things that had been cared for by the engineers, looks could be deceiving. Howard had assured them that he had already made the flight to and from Hawaii in that very plane several times.
With so few other options laid out for them, the soldiers certainly could not do much more than trust the old man. That did not mean that they did not have a little unease at putting that same faith in the Blue Gale.
"Point," Duo agreed with a small chuckle. Sitting up, he kissed the other warrior's lips soundly and pulled himself from the arms around him. "The Sweepers will be here any minute," he commented with a gesture to the brightening natural light peering through the windows. "Better make ourselves decent."
Reluctantly, Heero pushed himself up from the blankets and reached for his pack. Once they were dressed and the private's hair was bound in its usual braid, the couple made their way down the ladder just as the doors opened by the Sweepers.
As they headed inside the shed, the crew removed their raincoats and headed to their work stations. Heero and Duo went right to the teams that they had been helping over the prior few days and dug right in.
Following their arrival, the soldiers were immediately accepted into the Sweepers' clan. They were shown the current machines and tools that they were creating. Those projects included those to be sold in town as a way to provide for them and those 'special projects' that they could use for themselves. The Blue Gale had been one of those 'special projects.'
Heero and Duo were all too happy to have something to keep them occupied. And the whole experience was intriguing to them. Mechanics and getting their hands dirty were two things that the soldiers shared in common. So, working with their new friends in the Sweepers was more than ideal as they laid low.
The rain and occasional thunder were lulled out by the friendly conversations and laughter in the shed as the teams worked. Nearly an hour later, that banter stopped at the sound of the heavy metal front door opening. All eyes fell on Howard as he entered with a solemn look on his face revealed when he removed his rain cloak's hood.
"Germany officially surrendered today," the old man announced. "As we feared, Japan's leaders have yet to make the same move."
Biting his lip, Heero lowered his head in a shallow nod. It was only a matter of time before this news came. That still did not make the announcement any easier to hear. Things were going to be going very badly for his home country from that day forward.
Duo took no real joy in learning what Howard had shared. Yes, there was relief in knowing that one chapter of the war was handled. But the war was still not won. Knowing that Japan would fight to their last if need be, it did not bode well for them or the forces fighting them.
Making his way to his lover, the braided soldier brushed their shoulders together in an offer of consolation. His cobalt eyes closing, Heero leaned against him as a sign of appreciation and willingness to accept that support. With neither being comfortable to display their affections in public, it was more than enough to have some sort of contact in that moment.
Scott folded his arms and suggested, "Then enough of this waiting around for a few hours of clear weather. The Blue Gale has handled herself in rain before. So long as the lightning holds off, that's where the real trouble has been."
Gesturing to their guests with his head, the tall blonde stated, "We need to get these two on their way as soon as possible before things really get rough around here."
"Agreed," Howard nodded. "Better to chance less-than-pleasant conditions than a possible raid. Let's get the Blue Gale uncovered and the hanger doors open so that we can head out the moment this rain stops." Pointing to his wide-eyed friends, he smirked, "Best get your things packed and get ready to head out, boys. When I scanned the skies, I spotted that the first big break in this front of only an hour out. We fly as soon as that clearing is over us."
Both too stunned at the realization that they were going to be leaving the island at last, Heero and Duo stood frozen with wide eyes before the words really sunk in. "Well, get going," the old man snickered in amusement. "I'm not getting any younger here, you know."
Snapping from their stupor, the soldiers grinned and hurried for the ladder leading up to the loft so that they could pack their belongings. Only then did it really hit them that they would be leaving Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido behind them. They were about to be one step closer to safety.
While they worked in silence, Duo watched his partner with a looming dread. Now that Japan was the clear and only focus of the Allies, he hated the idea of splitting ways with Heero even more. Regardless of the dangers involved in trying to reach his mother on his own, the sergeant was not about to be talked out of it.
In being honest with himself, the private had to begrudgingly admit to himself that he would have been set in the same plan if he were in Heero's shoes.
Biting his lip, Duo focused back on stuffing his clothes and survival tools into his pack. There was time to worry later. For right now, they could only concern themselves with preparing for takeoff.
Overhead, the rain pattering on the roof was beginning to slow down as an early telltale of the end of the front approaching.
* * * * * *
"You are making a terrible mistake, my friend!" Treize shouted as he was roughly forced down the corridors of Muroran's prison by a guard at either side of him. "This is not how you treat someone who has come here to help you!"
The Sergeant Major watched with a small grin as the liaison was forced into the open cell at the end of the hall. As the barred metal door was slammed closed and locked, he stood before it and smirked, "With all due respect, Khushrenada, I do not believe that someone who has been caught making several attempts at escaping is looking out for anything but his own interests."
Glaring at his captor, Treize growled deeply, "I have no intention of staying and dying here because of your foolish leaders. If you were a wise man, then you would be looking for a way out as well."
His own eyes narrowing, the officer leaned close to the door and replied, "I stand by their decisions. And if it does lead to our demise, I will make it my personal goal to see that you are brought down with us. Your role in this war makes you every bit as responsible for your actions as we are."
To the surprised look he earned in response, he warned quietly, "These men watching you are not exactly thrilled to be here any more than you. Just give them a reason to shoot you. In the meantime, I am needed elsewhere. So, until we meet again, enjoy your stay." Turning, he headed down back down the hall as a soldier flanked either side of the cell.
Face red in rage, Treize contained himself. The way that the men were watching him from the corner of their eyes, he knew that the Major had not made an idle threat about their being a bit... edgy and looking for something take that unease off. It was not the time or place to be making a scene.
Snorting to himself, he shook his head, "Well this is an unfortunate turn of events."
* * * * * *
Heero and Duo offered their farewells and thanks to the Sweepers and their families before joining Howard in the hanger at the front of the cluster. Rai and some of the other women of the clan had given their guests homemade snacks and whatever other necessities they could offer. Scott and his brothers said that they were welcome back anytime they happened to be around again.
After getting to know all of the people of that cluster, it was a bit of an emotional farewell for the soldiers. Promising to visit whenever they had the chance, they said their last goodbyes and waited out the weather along with their old friend.
Climbing into the back of the Blue Gale, the pair held hands in their silent anxiety while Howard looked over the controls and small radars that he had installed in the cockpit. Past the open doors, the slowing rain came to a stop and within moments, the sun was peering out when the clearing stretched overhead.
Tightly gripping the control sticks as the little engines beneath the wings roared to life, Howard looked over his shoulder to face his friends and grinned, "Hang on, boys! Here we go!" With no further warning than that, he looked ahead and pushed forward. Slowly but surely, the plane crept its way out of the hanger and onto the flat grass that stretched on for over a mile before it reached the edge of the island.
Duo swallowed roughly and squeezed the hand in his own. No less nervous about taking off in the old Gale, Heero returned the gesture. Beside the craft, the Sweepers and their families smiled and waved them on. Chuckling quietly, the soldiers grinned and waved back just before they were suddenly racing across the grass at an incredibly fast pace.
Letting out an excited hoot, Howard pushed his bird on over the slick grass. The moment he reached his intended speed, he pulled back and sent them soaring into the skies. Hearts hammering in their chests, Heero and Duo looked out their windows to watch as they rose hundreds of feet up over the island.
First thing to strike them was just how smooth the flying was. The moment she was in the air, the Blue Gale was as steady and sure as any military plane they had flown in. Laughing at their easing tension, they embraced tightly and looked back out their windows.
Howard glanced over his shoulder snickering, "You boys didn't really think that I would steer you wrong by flying you in this thing, did you? Sure, she may not be the easiest thing on the eyes, but this 'ol gal is as reliable a plane as planes come."
"She's fantastic, Howard," Duo grinned widely while appreciating his view. Nodding his agreement, Heero kept their hands joined between them as he peered through his own window.
More than pleased with his friends' reactions, the old man smiled from ear-to-ear as he focused on heading for Japan's main island of Honshu as it neared in the distance.
* * * * * *
Less than an hour later, Howard got as deep into the main land as he was comfortable. From his radar, he spotted several spots of lightning making their way in that he needed to avoid. Recognizing the terrain as that belonging to Sendai, Heero called over the motors, "You can drop me here. I know how to find my way to Hiroshima from this spot."
The old man gave a thumb up before bringing the plane in a steady descent into the fields below. A steady drizzle started up on the way down, but the plane was hardly affected. When it touched down on a secluded and flat stretch that had been picked out, the Gale made a smooth landing.
Unhooking themselves from their belts, the trio stepped away from the plane. Duo frowned deeply as Heero descended with his pack in hand. In the light rain that continued to fall, Howard handed over a simple looking radio and told the Japanese soldier, "You can contact me anytime from any place with that. I know Japan like the back of my hand so you just tell me where I need to come pick you and your mom up when you're ready."
The sergeant shook his head in amusement over how the old man and his crew were ahead of their time in the technologies they'd made. Carefully securing the radio into his pack, he gave his friend a firm handshake with a sincere, "Thank you, Howard. I'll be sure to contact you as soon as we have a safe pick-up spot."
"Good luck to you," the retired soldier nodded firmly. When his friends looked to one another, he cleared his throat and pointed back to his plane. "I better go check the equipment before we take off again." Quick as he could, he headed back to the Blue Gale to give the boys a moment alone.
Wrapping an arm around his lover's shoulders, Heero ushered them away a bit before holding onto the braided private tightly. At that touch, Duo felt the sting of tears in his eyes as he returned the embrace with all of his strength. Ignoring the falling rain, they just held onto one another.
Finally pulling back enough to kiss his partner's lips, the officer promised, "I'm going to keep my word about getting back to you. You just worry about getting back to your home."
His bangs matting down from the drizzle just as a brief moment of sun came out, Duo laughed, "You better. I'll come back here and kick your ass if you don't." Heero chuckled deeply as they continued to hold each other loosely.
Biting his lip against the tears filling his eyes once more, the private launched himself forward to kiss his lover deeply. Stunned for only a moment, the sergeant returned the exchange with every bit of emotion behind it he could offer.
Only pulling back for air, Duo's gaze bore into the sergeant's shimmering cobalt eyes as he panted, "I love you."
"Aishiteru," Heero replied in little more than a whisper. Kissing his partner's damp forehead, he urged, "Go on." As they went their separate ways, their hands and gazes remained joined until their fingers could no longer reach each other.
Not allowing himself a chance to linger, the sergeant pulled his sweater's hood over his head and threw his pack over his shoulder. Without looking back, he turned and ran off through the field until he disappeared into the line of trees a few yards out.
Rubbing his arms against the chill in the wet air, Duo's stray tears melded with the drops of rain running down his face. Pulling his own hood on, he headed back to the plane where he found his friend's legs sticking out from underneath.
The private smiled, "Come on, Howie." He left out any teasing of how he knew the plane was perfectly fine and did not need to be checked out. But he appreciated the old man's courtesy in giving him and Heero some space before they parted.
Climbing to his feet, Howard grinned and made no mention to the braided soldier's eyes. "Well, let's get moving then," he announced with a slap to Maxwell's shoulder. Lithe as a teenager, he climbed back into the pilot's seat and closed the door behind him.
Moving much more slowly, Duo kept his eyes on the line of trees where had Heero disappeared as he sat himself in the co-pilot's chair. Simply going through the motions of strapping himself in and securing the door behind him, he sank into the seat.
"Don't you worry about Heero, kid," the old man reassured quietly as he turned the engines on. "He's a tough one, that boy. He'll be just fine." Keeping an eye on his radar to avoid the nasty spots of weather passing by, he announced with a wide grin, "Next stop, the United States!"
A small smile tugged the private's lips at that. Gripping the edge of his chair as the plane was pushed forward, he only had a moment to get his bearings before they took to the air.
While there was still a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach over being separated from Heero, Duo still could not help the elation in knowing that he was finally, truly free.
He was going home.
TBC...
[1] That exact number of casualties, along with where and when the Infantry was stationed, is found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_A>mericans_in_World_War_II
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